TWO children, badly injured in a vicious dog attack this week, are now too scared to play out.

Brother and sister Craig and Kelly Rearden were only discharged from the Royal Bolton Hospital on Thursday night after being mauled by two Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross-bred dogs.

Both youngsters had to undergo a two-hour operation each to stitch wounds in their arms and legs.

The dogs attacked the group of children who had been playing football on fields near Hayward Sports Centre on Tuesday night.

Four youngsters received bite wounds to limbs and three were left with minor injuries. Rachel Hainey, aged 14, of Lever Edge Lane and Kelly Upton, 14, of Shurmer Street needed hospital treatment along with the Reardens.

Now Lorraine Rearden, mum of Craig, nine, and Kelly, 12, says her children are so terrified they don't want to play out again.

And Kelly, who had been pestering her parents for a pet dog, has now told them she doesn't want one.

Mrs Rearden, 33, said: "Kelly had been mithering us for weeks and weeks to get her a dog but now she's told us she doesn't want one.

"When I ran to the field on Tuesday night it was like a scene from an explosion. Children were covered in blood and were terrified. Even the ones who had not been bitten were crying because they were so scared."

Brave Kelly yesterday fought back tears as she told of the flashbacks she has experienced. The St James' C of E Primary School pupil said: "When I was in hospital it was the worst. When I closed my eyes all I could see were the dogs on me and Rachel. I'm beginning to feel a bit better now."

There has been a steady stream of visitors at the Rearden's home in Lever Edge Lane, Morris Green, including both the children's headteachers.

Mrs Rearden added: "All the visitors are helping to take their mind off what happened which can only be a good thing."

The dogs are still being looked after at their owner Caroline McLean's home in Woodvale Avenue, Morris Green.

Police confirmed the incident is still under investigation and no decision has yet been made on the dogs' fate.

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